COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-34/41 Nose Gear Centering Attach Bolt 10/92
Applicability: Model PA-34-200 with serial numbers 34-7250001 through 34-7450220. Model PA-34-200T with serial numbers 34-7570001 through 34-8170082.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the nose gear centering spring assembly and determine whether a clevis- head bolt or hex-head bolt is installed.
2. If a P/N 400-910 clevis-head bolt is installed, ensure that it correctly installed in accordance with paragraph 2 of the INSTRUCTIONS section of, and Sketch “A” in Piper SB 893.
(a) If the bolt is correctly installed, incorporate placard P/N 582-943 in accordance with paragraph 6(c) of the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper SB 893.
(b) If the bolt is incorrectly installed, disassemble and reinstall in accordance with paragraphs 3 through 6 of the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper SB 893, and incorporate placard P/N 582-943 in accordance with paragraph 6(c) of the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper SB 893.
3. If a hex-head bolt or a clevis-head bolt that is not P/N 400-910 is installed, replace with a P/N 400-910 clevis-head bolt in accordance with paragraphs 3 through 6 of the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper SB 893, and incorporate placard P/N 582- 943 in accordance with paragraph 6(c) of the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper SB 893.
Note: FAA AD 92-13-05 Amdt 39-8275 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 17 September 1992.
Background: Reports of nose gear extension problems prompted the FAA to investigate the nose landing gear system on several of the affected aircraft. The FAA found that the nose gear centering spring assembly was incorrectly installed in many instances. The effective date required by the FAA is extended by one month.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, pursuant to the Civil Aviation Act 1988, issued the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to regulate various aspects of aviation safety in Australia, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address safety concerns. AD/PA-34/41, introduced on 10 September 1992, specifically targets Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes to rectify issues related to the nose gear centering mechanism. The problem identified was an incorrect installation of the nose gear centering spring assembly, leading to operational safety concerns. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions for the nose gear centering attach bolts on specified models to ensure compliance within 100 hours of service following the directive’s issuance, with an extension of one month. This regulatory action aims to mitigate the risk of nose gear malfunctions, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, mandates that certain Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes adhere to specific airworthiness directives. This legislation applies to specific models and serial numbers, namely the PA-34-200 with serial numbers ranging from 34-7250001 to 34-7450220, and the PA-34-200T with serial numbers from 34-7570001 to 34-8170082. The directive requires operators to inspect the nose gear centering spring assembly to ensure the correct installation of either a clevis-head bolt or hex-head bolt, specifically P/N 400-910. If the bolt is incorrectly installed or is not the specified type, it must be replaced or reinstalled correctly in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in Piper SB 893, and a specific placard must be incorporated. Compliance with these directives is mandatory within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after 17 September 1992. This regulation extends the applicability of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives, ensuring alignment with international safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) which set out requirements for the maintenance and operation of aircraft to ensure safety. One such AD, AD/PA-34/41, pertains to the nose gear centering attach bolt for Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to Model PA-34-200 with certain serial numbers and Model PA-34-200T with other specific serial numbers. The directive outlines specific inspection and corrective actions for the nose gear centering spring assembly.
The key requirements under this directive (Section 1) are to inspect the nose gear centering spring assembly to determine whether a clevis-head bolt or a hex-head bolt is installed. If the clevis-head bolt is P/N 400-910, it must be correctly installed following the instructions in Piper SB 893. If correctly installed, a placard P/N 582-943 must be incorporated; if incorrectly installed, the bolt must be disassembled and reinstalled correctly, and then the placard incorporated. If a hex-head bolt or a clevis-head bolt that is not P/N 400-910 is installed, it must be replaced with a P/N 400-910 clevis-head bolt, and the placard incorporated.
The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the inspection and any necessary corrective actions are carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 17 September 1992. This involves adherence to the specific instructions provided in Piper SB 893, which include detailed steps for correct installation and replacement of the bolts, and the incorporation of the required placard.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties may depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and any resulting safety issues.